Our Ecumenical Future: Lessons to Be Learned from the Events of 1517

precis:

Speaking of 1517 generically (representing also events that followed after that year), this essay consists of two main parts. Part I, relying on reports from international dialogues between the Catholic Church with Reformation churches, indicates several issues in sixteenth-century conflicts from which lessons can be learned today. Part II, "Shaping Our Ecumenical Future," emphasizes opportunities of the modern ecumenical movement. Dialogue since Vatican II has enabled Lutherans and Catholics to prepare a project for commemorating 2017 together. Continuing dialogues and harvesting their results can lead to further advances. It concludes with a suggestion for furthering Lutheran-Catholic relations.